Note from Pastor Matt: David Keddie, one of our deacons and a historian in his own “write,” talks about another Reformation hero:

In 1536 a young French refugee named John Calvin, or Jehan Cauvin in his native tongue, found himself staying the night in the Swiss city of Geneva on his way to Strasbourg. Geneva had only recently voted to leave the Catholic church and become a Reformation city, and it was in need of a preacher. William Farel, the leader of the Protestant movement in Geneva, took the opportunity to press Calvin to remain in the city and become its teacher. Calvin desired rather to continue private study; he had already published the first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the most influential book of the Reformation. But Farel threatened him, saying that God would curse his studies if he would refuse to help proclaim the gospel in Geneva when the need was so urgent. So began Calvin’s role as a famed preacher of the Reformation.

Calvin had first encountered Luther’s challenge to the church of his day while a law student at the University of Orléans, just south of Paris. He found his mind suddenly subdued by God and then inflamed with an intense desire to grow in a right understanding of the faith. From that point on he remained steadfast in his pursuit of Christ. Spurgeon said that he “propounded truth more clearly than any other man that ever breathed, knew more of Scripture, and explained it more clearly.”

Calvin is most famous today for his Institutes, his Commentaries, and his legacy of thorough biblical teaching. In his time in Geneva, though, he sent out 1300 missionaries to France, planting more than 2,000 churches with three million members. Missionaries also went to Italy, Hungary, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, even Brazil. He supervised the printing of the Geneva Bible in English, which introduced the system of verses used universally today. He published the Genevan Psalter to enable all worshipers to sing God’s praises instead of the few performers who had done so before the Reformation. This vision, a biblical vision, of the gospel sent out, the Word proclaimed, and voices raised in praise was Calvin’s legacy.

Church notes:

Church Financial Update: Through the end of September, church expenses are under budget and income has risen 3% compared to prior year. Our financial goals for the end of the year are tied to our responsibility to operate in the black and fulfill the commitments of our mortgage covenant. December is traditionally the month we get 40% of our annual income, but we have set a goal of $300K for October and November combined in order to be well-positioned for a strong finish in December. Through last Sunday, we have received $66K in October. We thank you for your generosity and ask you to prayerfully consider your giving for the rest of 2017.

Important Traffic Information—Princeton Half Marathon: The Princeton Half Marathon takes place Sunday, November 5. Traffic patterns around our church will be affected between 8–10 am. We have had a number of meetings with the police and race officials to try to avoid issues from previous years. Following are routes to use to get to church:

· After 8:40 am use Harrison Road to Bunn Drive to the church

· After 9:20 am use River Road to Herrontown to the church or the northern portion of Mt. Lucas to Poor Farm to Bunn Drive to the church

· After 9:36 am use Ewing Street to Mt.Lucas/Bunn Drive

· The race should be cleared after 10:04 am

The Princeton Police Department will be directing traffic at a couple of stops near the church (Poor Farm Road/Mt. Lucas; Bunn Drive/Poor Farm Road; and Snowden/Herrontown) and via a single lane on Herrontown Road in front of our church. Let the police know you are going into the church and they will let you through. If you are coming down River Road, disregard the barrier at River Road and Herrontown that says road closed. Please contact Jim Erickson jime@stonehillprinceton.org with any questions.

Sunday

Adult Ed: “Commitment to one another” led by Fitzroy Dawkins meets at 8:30 am in the Adult Ed room. Next week’s topic is The Have and The Have Nots (Poverty comes in many stripes).

Adult Ed: Theology Class is taught by John Wilsey at 9:30 am in the Library.

Adult Ed: 1 Corinthians Class is led by Patrick Haley and Ray Carr at 9:30 am in the Adult Ed room.

“Stirring Up the Gifts of Hospitality” is the work of the Holy Spirit and “we have not because we ask not”. It's showing love to a stranger. It's more than just food and decorating, it's the attitude of the heart. The class is designed to give people confidence in their hospitality, whether it is just for family or a bigger group. Join us at 11:10 am in Harris Hall. This class is open to all.

Stone Hill 101: Want to learn all about Stone Hill in the shortest amount of time? This class will be held at 11:10 am in the Library through October 29. Stone Hill 101 will cover the history, doctrine, belief, government, and membership process of Stone Hill Church. It will help you know how to serve on a team and impact your world. You will explore how God has uniquely wired you to serve His people and the world. This class is designed for everyone and serves as a membership prerequisite.

Upcoming Events

Stone Hill Vision Luncheon: Sunday, October 29 at 12:30 pm. Pastor Matt will be speaking about where we are and where we are headed with our church’s mission.

Baptism Class: If you want to be baptized, come to our two session baptism class on October 29 and November 5 at 11:10 am in the Adult CE room. The Baptism Service will he held on November 19 during both services. To sign up, go to stonehillprinceton.org/events.

Forum: Dear Parents,

Here are four important reasons to consider coming to the Mark Gregston conference for Parents of Teens on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11. Friday night is free and will be a time for Q&A. Saturday, November 11 costs $30 and will help parents develop a game plan.

Babysitting is provided for both sessions. Please sign up on our website.

1. Mark Gregston helps parents anticipate the likely changes that you will need to make as your child passes through the teen years. As your children become more independent, you will need to adjust your parenting. This is why this conference will be very helpful for parents of pre-teens and middle school and high school students so that you can grow as a parent into these different seasons of life.

2. The conference will reinforce your present parenting even if things are working well in your home. Parents can use encouragement. And, just because things may appear smooth at present, doesn’t mean things can’t change quickly.

3. The conference will help you navigate our performance driven culture. This is the culture that we live in. Parents can easily fall into this performance orientation trap, which undermines the gospel.

4. If there are strains in your relationship with your teen, this conference will help you address those concerns and develop a plan to see that relationship restored.